Rt. Hon. (Barr) Friday Obomezele Itulah was a Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and a-two-term member of the House of Representatives. In this interview with TIM OKOJIE AVE, the Uromi-born, Edo State political generalissimo, speaks on why he is the most qualified among those participating in the coming Edo Central Senatorial District bye-election to replace former senator and now state governor, Monday Okpebholo, in the National Assembly. He says his constituents will benefit from his quantum legislative experience. Excerpts:
What Makes you to stand out among the contestants for the senatorial seat?
Without the fear of sounding immodest, I stand head and shoulder taller than anybody else, figuratively speaking, in the race today across the major political parties in terms of legislative experience. I was a Councillor in the local government legislative Council, two-term member and Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, and a two-term member of the House of Representatives, which is also a legislative body. The number of bills and motions I sponsored and moved in these legislative Houses are numerous and are there for perusal by anyone. I attracted numerous projects across all sectors and sub sectors across my Federal Constituency. and beyond. Again these are also there for anybody to verify. Section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended) established the National Assembly with the powers to legislate for the country as a whole or any part thereof. I am by training a Philosopher, with a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, UNICAL, 1987; a holder of the Master’s degree (MPA) in Public Administrator from UNIBEN in 2005; a Lawyer and an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with many years of experience in the bar. All of these put together stands me out in this race for the Senatorial bye-election for the Edo Central Senatorial District. You must also bear in mind that this is a bye-election and the winner will not have the benefit of any induction course or orientation programme of any sort as it is not a fresh mandate. It is only an elected member with legislative experience that can hit the ground running which will be beneficial to the Senatorial District. There will be no time for apprenticeship or the likes as almost half of the tenure has been exhausted by the former Occupant.
What are you going to do or bring to the table differently from those who were there before you; what, from your periscope, are the crucial needs of Edo Central Senatorial District?
Experience, they say, is the best Teacher. I have keenly followed the Representation of the district by those who have been there before now. I am very familiar with all of them since the beginning of this 4th Republic viz Sen. Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (1999–2007), Sen. Magnus Odion Ugbesia ( 2007– 2015), Sen. Eng. Clifford Akhimiemona Ordia (2015–2023) and Sen. Monday Okpebholo (2023 — 12th November, 2024). I am conversant with the records of their achievements and I also know the areas where improvements can be made and, having lived in the Senatorial District all along, I know the problems of the district and will strive without to attract the dividends of Democracy to these areas. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure will be given priority. Other areas such as portable water, environmental degradation will also be topmost in my Agenda. Health, Education, Agriculture and Security will also be prioritised. In the area of poverty alleviation, we shall double efforts to provide the enabling environment for industrialisation which addresses the issue of mass unemployment, a very sore area. Industrialisation will usher in mass employment for our young unemployed Graduates and even school leavers alike. I will be very visible in parliament in terms of lawmaking which is the primary duty of a lawmaker. I surely will contribute immensely to debates on national issues from day one.
Under a free, fair and transparent election, do you have the chance of emerging victorious at the polls?
Sure yes! I will emerge victorious at the polls. In my previous outing as a Member of the House of Representatives, the people really had the dividends of democracy in abundance and have since been yearning for another opportunity to have my representation once again. My representation was devoid of discrimination on party affiliation, religious belief, place of birth or the likes. My representation will be ‘colour’ blind. Rich or poor, everyone will want to have Itulah again. As such nobody will want to scuttle such an opportunity which is a rarity comparable only to the Halley’s Comet.
How would you describe the Edo State disputed guber election that is in the tribunal and the chances of your party winning at the end of the day?
It might be subjudicial for me to comment on this. Please, spare me not to comment on this publicly.
What is your stand on the Agbazilo and Okpebholo agreement of power rotation? Why is the agreement no longer working in your thinking and what is the best way forward?
The unwritten power rotation in Edo Central Senatorial District should be encouraged. It breeds harmony and unity in the District. The principle of Federal Character is embedded in it. The agreement is working. This was brought to bear in the meeting held in Sir Chief Tom Ikimi’s residence in Benin City on the 14th of December, 2024, which resulted in the ceding of the Senatorial bye-election seat to Esan North East Local Government Area, Uromi, vide a motion moved by Sen. Magnus Odion Ugbesia which was unanimously supported.
How will you score Sen. Monday Okpebholo after 100 days in office?
Again, I plead to be spared in responding to this question. As a partisan politician, my assessment will not be perceived as unbiased.
Why, in your opinion, the tribunal has to be taken to Abuja, and is it right for it to be taken to Abuja?
The tribunal sitting was relocated to Abuja for obvious security reasons.
Can you describe the security challenges in Edo State presently, especially kidnapping, cult war, etc?
The Security Challenges in our dear state are still very daunting and should be of concern to all people and residents of the state. I see the recent law enacted by the Edo State House of Assembly titled, ‘The Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition Law) 2025, as a right step in the right direction in addressing this issue if vigorously implemented. It is one thing to make a law and another to implement same. Time will tell if the intendment is real or just to play to the gallery.
Finally, can you take us through your past achievements as a lawmaker which justifies your coming back?
My achievements span the entire Edo Central Senatorial District and are verifiable. They include the Eko-Ibadin Electrification Scheme, building of primary school at Ukpeko-Ebhoyi, building and donation of Comprehensive Health Centre at Obeidu, electrification of Uzea community, donation of vehicles to security agencies across my constituency, donation of transformers to communities, construction of a block of classrooms, VIP toilet and furniture at Okhuesan Primary School, Esan South-East LGA, provision of 110 Laptop computers with E-learning facilities to the prestigious Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, moving of motion on the deplorable condition of the Ewossa-Ekpon Axis of the Uromi Agbor Road in Igueben LGA of Edo State, provision and donation of 110 computer sets to Girls Model Secondary School, Ubiaja, Esan South East LGA, provision of Solar Street lights at Ewohimi ward 2, Esan South East LGA, provision of borehole water at Ohordua, Esan South East LGA, provision of borehole water at Ewatto, Esan South East LGA, motion on rehabilitation of the Ewu-Uromi Road in Esan Central/Esan North East LGAs, among others.
